Psychiatrist - Adult

County of Orange • Orange County, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA) is seeking a Psychiatrist for its Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Division, specifically within the Adult and Older Adult Behavioral Health Services (AOABH) program. This program provides recovery-oriented behavioral health services and episodic treatment for adults aged 18 and up impacted by Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and/or substance use disorders. Services are delivered through outpatient clinics, Intensive Care Management (ICM), and Collaborative Court Programs, emphasizing individual needs, strengths, choices, and involvement in service planning. The role may involve direct client care and supervision of an on-site Behavioral Health Nurse Practitioner. The population served includes adults with SMI and/or substance use disorders who experience impairment in their ability to function in the community, or who have a history of recurring substantial functional impairment, hospitalization, or symptoms. Services encompass assessment, evaluation, collateral therapy, individual and group therapy, substance use treatment, medication support, rehabilitation, linkage and consultation, placement, plan development, crisis intervention, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opiate and alcohol use disorders, and treatment of substance use disorders with co-occurring mental illness.

Requirements

• Board Certification pay: Employees assigned on a regular, full-time basis in this classification, who are Board Certified, shall receive, in addition to his or her salary, the equivalent of $800 monthly.
• Five (5) days Conference Leave for Continuing Medical Education paid leave per year.
• Educational and Professional Reimbursement of up to $10,000 per year.
• No On-Call Responsibilities.
• Flexible work schedules; A 4/10 schedule may be available.
• Psychiatrist Loan Repayment Program (Psychiatrists employed at least half time in regular positions in all divisions of Behavioral Health Services (BHS) are eligible to receive up to $22,500 through the program, however, this does not include positions in Correctional Health. This program will continue as long as there are MHSA funds available. The County and/or HCA are under no obligation to continue funding this program should MHSA funding cease for this program.)
• Familiar with recovery-oriented services.
• Calm and flexible demeanor.
• Willing to work in a team setting.
• Substantial knowledge and practical experience directly related to the competencies listed under 'Desirable Qualifications & Core Competencies'.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual skills are highly desirable, especially in Spanish or Vietnamese.

Responsibilities

• Performs biopsychosocial assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI).
• Recognizes the signs and symptoms of an acute mental crisis or psychiatric emergency, provides care to stabilize patients via medication adjustment or referral to a higher level of care such as an inpatient facility.
• Responds and manages patients experiencing mood lability, severe depression, anxiety, anger, co-occurring substance use, and other symptoms of mental illness.
• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of the protective and risk factors for suicidal and homicidal ideation, and how to reduce the risk of a serious attempt.
• Implements evidence-based recommendations for psychiatric treatment, including knowledge of how to utilize long-acting antipsychotics and clozapine for psychotic disorders.
• Understands how to screen and modify treatment for adverse side effects or drug interactions related to psychiatric medications.
• Assesses and treats patients with co-occurring substance use disorders, including recognition of substance use intoxication and withdrawal.
• Interprets urine drug screens, understands false positives, provides counseling, and utilizes medications including naloxone to reduce the risk of substance use.
• Proficient use of an Electronic Health Record (EHR) to monitor the individual's status, document psychiatric services, enter orders for medications and laboratory studies, determine and document medical necessity.
• Demonstrates non-verbal communication skills including appropriate eye contact, body language, and facial expressions when interacting with others.
• Involves the patient in the treatment decision-making process and provides informed consent when discussing medications.
• Assists other psychiatrists who are out of office by allowing consultations on their clients and medication refills if appropriate.
• Participates in multidisciplinary team meetings and engages in effective communication with nurses, social workers, therapists, case managers, and other members of the treatment team.
• Maintains a respectful and professional demeanor including when disagreements or conflicts arise between staff or patients.
• Works collaboratively with other physicians providing medical care, personnel within the program, patient’s families, conservators, court personnel, community hospital staff, and other County agencies.
• Prepares clear and concise documentation of the patient’s biopsychosocial assessment, diagnoses, and treatment plan.
• Documents rationale for modifying diagnoses and medications in the patient’s chart, including diagnostic criteria that support a diagnosis and discussion on the benefits and risks to treatment.
• Discusses and records the functional impairment caused by a patient’s severe and persistent mental illness (e.g. unemployment, financial hardship, homelessness).
• Communicates about challenging interactions with patients or others in a respectful, unbiased, and accurate manner.
• Practices active empathetic listening skills and use of open-ended questions with patients, communicates in a non-judgmental way to make patients feel comfortable opening up about their history and current symptoms.

Benefits

• Bilingual pay: Qualified employees who meet the criteria found ( page 16 ) shall receive an additional $0.70 per hour for all hours paid.
• Board Certification pay: Employees assigned on a regular, full-time basis in this classification, who are Board Certified, shall receive, in addition to his or her salary, the equivalent of $800 monthly.
• Additional Compensation: Five (5) days Conference Leave for Continuing Medical Education paid leave per year.
• Educational and Professional Reimbursement of up to $10,000 per year.
• Psychiatrist Loan Repayment Program (Psychiatrists employed at least half time in regular positions in all divisions of Behavioral Health Services (BHS) are eligible to receive up to $22,500 through the program, however, this does not include positions in Correctional Health. This program will continue as long as there are MHSA funds available. The County and/or HCA are under no obligation to continue funding this program should MHSA funding cease for this program.)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior